Vigil Held Near Lawndale Garage Where Woman Found Dead

A prayer vigil was held Wednesday for Shantieya Smith by family and community members where her body was found in a garage.

The Chicago Fire Department sawed into the garage last week where a body was discovered just two blocks from where 26-year-old Shantieya Smith was last seen on May 26 near West 16th Street and Central Park Avenue. It was later confirmed to be hers.

Neighbors offered support at the afternoon vigil Wednesday in the 1800 South Central Park Avenue.

“I don’t sleep I don’t eat I just want her to come home,” Smith’s godmother Tiffany Scott told NBC 5 last week, before the body was identified.

Body Found in Garage Near Where Woman Went Missing

Members of the Lawndale community are worried the disappearance is linked to others.

“Our biggest fear in the community is there’s some type of predator loose,” said community activist Rev. Robin Hood said last week. “Whether its kidnapping or murder we need answers.”

Sadaria Davis, 15, went missing April 27 from the 4200 block of West Adams Street. Her body was found in an abandoned building.

Speculation that several other missing women might be connected to the deaths were recently dispelled by Chicago police.

In the case of Davis and Smith, however, police say they have identified a person of interest to question.